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Injured man arrested on suspicion of arson after house fire

A man has been arrested on suspicion of arson after a fire in a terraced house earlier today.

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The 48-year-old was taken to hospital with minor injuries.

Police say he was arrested on suspicion of arson and abstracting electricity. He will be questioned by officers later.

Twenty five firefighters dealt with the blaze in the upper floors of the property in Maryport.

Five fire crews from across the area were called to the scene shortly after 9am.

Firefighters were not initially sent into the building because there were several LPG gas cylinders inside.

The affected property - on the corner of Fleming Street and Camp Street - is known as Glebe House and has been split into three flats.

Two fire crews from Maryport, one from Workington and one from Carlisle along with an aerial platform were at the scene.

Fire service area manager Nick O'Key said this morning: "The fire is still burning in the loft and there are a range of LPG gas cylinders involved in the fire. The aerial ladder platform has arrived and it will be used to fight the fire from above.

"We have no firefighting teams in the building for safety reasons.

"There will be an inner cordon and an outer cordon.

"People should stay away from the area, or stay indoors unless instructed otherwise by the police."

He said he thought it unlikely that the gas cylinders would explode, given that the current dousing of the property would probably reduce their temperature dramatically.

The scene was declared safe by police at about 2.30pm.

It is understood that building work has been going on at the house and the alarm was raised by a workman.

The house is split into several homes and it is not yet known how many people have been affected by the fire.

Police advised members of the public to avoid the Camp Street area while emergency services dealt with the blaze. The area was cordoned off for safety.